Loch Raven in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Prospect Hill Cemetery
ca 1892
Located on what was originally part of the Hampton estate of Charles Ridgely, this land became part of the related Chew family estate, Epsom. At the death of Harriet Chew, fourteen acres passed to Benjamin Chew, and in 1886 the property was bequeathed to his niece, Anna Grason, who created a community cemetery. In 1890 Anna and William Grason sold the property to John and Henry Longnecker, publishers of "The Baltimore County Union" in Towson, on the condition that it would continue to be used as a cemetery.
Erwin and Ethel Brown Huber bought the cemetery in 1942 under the name Prospect Hill Park Cemetery, reflecting its 19th-century park-like environment. Between the 1950s and the 1970s, the Hubers sold off eight acres that did not contain graves, leaving the six-acre burial ground.
By 1984, the cemetery had fallen into disrepair. A group led by Dr. Robert Parker, James Campbell and Carroll Klingelhofer formed a non-profit corporation to purchase the cemetery and bring it back to its former beauty. Since 1984, Prospect Hill has been managed by an all-volunteer board and run as an active cemetery. More than 3,000 people are buried here, and many of the monuments reflect significant families in the history of Towson.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 39° 24.198′ N, 76° 36.223′ W. Marker is in Towson, Maryland, in Baltimore County. It is in Loch Raven. It is at the intersection of York Road (Maryland Route 45) and Prospect Hill Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling north on York Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 62 York Rd, Towson MD 21204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Schmuck House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Olympian Park (about 600 feet away); York & Joppa Roads (about 800 feet away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Towson Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Baltimore County Courthouse (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Towson.
Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, 🏳️🌈

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 15, 2024
2. Prospect Hill Cemetery Marker at the entrance to the cemetery

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 15, 2024
3. Harris Glenn Milstead gravestone
Perhaps the most famous resident of Prospect Hill Cemetery is Harris Glenn Milstead whose famous drag persona Divine was one of the most famous in the twentieth century. Divine starred in several films by director John Waters: Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester, and Hairspray. Milstead died only a couple weeks after the release of Hairspray.
His grave site has received mementos for the past few decades from fans wishing to pay their respects. Unfortunately, some of these mementos have been cause for distraction for other visitors to the cemetery to the point that a sign has been erected reading:
At the time of this photograph, during Baltimore Pride Weekend, a few mementos were identified, including a small rubber duck, a flamingo figurine, and rainbow-colored roses.
His grave site has received mementos for the past few decades from fans wishing to pay their respects. Unfortunately, some of these mementos have been cause for distraction for other visitors to the cemetery to the point that a sign has been erected reading:
Fans of Harris Glenn Milstead ("Divine") are welcome in Prospect Hill Cemetery, but please be respectful of the impact of your visit on families who have loved ones buried nearby.
Writing on or defacing a grave stone is illegal under Maryland Law. Items left will be removed at the cemetery's discretion.
By all means, pay your respects to an iconic performer, but help preserve the dignity of this burial ground.
At the time of this photograph, during Baltimore Pride Weekend, a few mementos were identified, including a small rubber duck, a flamingo figurine, and rainbow-colored roses.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 299 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
